TRACK WORK AT TRENTHAM

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28013, 6 July 1956, Page 4

TRACK WORK AT TRENTHAM

Kasr-el-Nil Revels In Conditions

IMPRESSIVE TRIAL FOR STEWARDS’ HANDICAP “The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, July 5. None of the trialists tor the opening day of the Wellington winter meeting handled the going at Tientham this morning better than Kasr-el-Nil, which is engaged in the second leg of the double, the Stewards’ Handicap. Conditions for the final gallops of a Wellington meeting have not been worse in the last 12 years. Heavy rain, aggravated by a biting southerly wind, fell steadily. The track was very heavy early, but later was awash.

Another candidate for the Stewards’ Handicap, Domitare, ran the best halfmile, but he did not appear to handle the ground as well as Kasr-el-Nil.

Over a longer distance, none of the flat performers impressed more than Lucky Arch. There was not as much schooling over country as was expected, but Count Minerva and Keynote gave splendid displays, and Million Dollar, Andorra, and Top Dog also acquitted themselves well. Galloping took place on the trial grass. Kasrrel-Nil (Wilson) revelled in the ground to run half a mile in 55sec, the final three furlongs brilliantly in 39 2-5 sec. His performance was the more meritorious as he galloped in a heavy downpour which was accompanied by a gust of wind of almost gale force. Kasr-el-Nil had something in reserve at the finish and he will have to be taken into account in Saturday's sprint as a result of this trial.

Though he did not appear to be entirely happy in the going, Domitare (Walsh) sped over half a mile in 54 2-5 sec, the final three furlongs taking 40sec. He is a lean type, but he looks fresh in spite of recent racing, and he will not be without prospects in the Stewards’ Handicap. Galloping when the track was heaviest. Lucky Arch (McSeveny) created a big impression" when he finished solidly to be a length ahead of Good Abbot (Perawiti), with three lengths to Dusty Miller (Wilson) and four to Lady Valenta (Pearce) at the end of a working gallop, the speed being increased over the final half-mile which was completed in 56 2-ssec.

Lucky Arjh, which lagged behind to the final furlong, finished solidly to run the final three furlongs in 41 l-ssec. At his last start. Lucky Arch twisted a plate at Hawera. He will be better suited by the shorter distance of the Te Aro Hack Handicap. Dusty Miller went satisfactorily for a hurdler. Finished Together Both Red Star (Manning) and Shaun (Perawiti) were doing well at the end of seven furlongs in Imin 41 3-ssec. They finished together after running the last half-mile in 57 3-ssec, and the final three furlongs in 41 4-ssec.

As heavy ground is assured on Saturday, Red Star could surprise in the Whyte Handicap. Though he has not raced for a while, Shaun is ready for the Stewards’ Handicap, in which he has the advantage of drawing No. 1 at the barrier. Harleston (Perawiti) was two lengths ahead of Baithen (Manning) after running seven furlongs in Imin 42 l-ssec. The last half-mile took 59sec, and the final three furlongs 43scc. Harleston looks at his peak, and it will surprise if he does not regain winning form during the meeting. A useful half-mile was that of Glenlyn (Belsham). which completed the distance in 55sec, sprinting from the three furlongs in 40sec. She was blowing at the end, and may be all the better for a race. The hurdler Fordson (Manning) completed two rounds of solid pacework by sprinting from the three furlongs in 41 3-ssec. His condition cannot be faulted. Toparoa (Wylie) finished with a burst to shade Mandrake (Ackland) at the end of half a mile in 56sec. the final three furlongs in 42 l-ssec. Toparoa has thrived on recent training efforts, but he is in need of racing to bring him to his best. West Indies (Pearce) was travelling very easily alongside Just Toby (Simpson) after running half a mile in 55 4-5 sec. The final three furlongs took 40 4-5 sec. West Indies has good recent form in the South, and is obviously a bettor horse than when he last raced in the Wellington province. Lady Cabana (McFarlane) ran half a mile in 58sec. She had little pace on early, but came from the three furlongs in 41 sec She lacks nothing in courage, but she is small, and the big field in the Stewards’ Handicap will be against her. Gold Caste (Noanoa) and Some Tiki (Hill) were five lengths in front of Finite (Perawiti) at the end of half a mile in 57sec. the final three furlongs, taking 42sec. Some Tiki had much the worst of the weights, and he was travelling as well as Gold Caste at the finish. Some Tiki usually comes to hand rapidly, and he could make his presence felt before the meeting ends. The stablemntes. Fulgent (Wvlie) and Philadelphia (Hoy), were not after time while running half a mile in 58 4-ssee, the fastest part being the final three furlongs in 42sec. Both are in solid condition.

Silver Charm (McSeveny) was associated with Brer Broney (Pearce) in a working gallop over seven furlongs, the best stage being the last half in 57 3-ssec, and the final three furlongs in 43 3-ssec. Silver Charm, a surprise winner in an open steeplechase at Hawera last week, is not harshly treated in the Mariri Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase on Saturday. Providing he remains sound, he should make his mark in this department. Went Fast Early Travelling fast early. Siphon (Walsh) completed six furlongs in Imin 22sec. He slowed in the final stages and came from the half-mile in 56sec, and from the three furlongs in 43sec. He would have prospects at Trentham if he reproduced his best, but he has been unreliable in the past. The Vandal (Hill) was doing much better than Hilili (Noanoa) after running three furlongs in 42 2-ssec. The Vandal has good recent form, but the distances over which he will be racing at Trentham will be too short for him. Hilili has not long returned from a spell. Permit (Perawiti) ran five furlongs, the last four in 56 4-ssec, the final three in 41 4-ssec. It was a useful effort for a horse which normally gallops sluggishly in training.

Peril (Powell) and Coinalot were companions over half a mile in 59sec, the final three furlongs being the fastest part in 42sec.

Peterford (Manning) was travelling very easily, three lengths ahead of Glenlee (Belsham). after running five furlongs, the last four in 57sec, and the final three in 42 l-ssec. Peterford may not be far away at the end of the Stewards' Handicap.

Ben Ledi (Lee), with the worse of the weights, was more impressive than Horatius (Hoy) over half a mile in 57sec, the final three furlongs taking 41 4-ssec Ben Ledi’s chance in the Stewards’ Handicap is highly regarded in the south. Master Proven (Pearce) was three lengths in front of Champion (McSeveny) after running half a mile In 58 2-ssec, coming from the three furlongs in 43sec. Master Proven looks well, but he may find the distance of the Whyte Handicap too short for him.

Prince Mahal (Simpson) did pace work. He is a mass of condition and handled the conditions well.

Peter Willonyx, the favourite for the Whyte Handicap, was let off with exercise in tiie centre of the course. His condition cannot be faulted.

The best bout over country was that of Count Minerva (Forward) and Million Dollar (Lee), which were the last to train. They cleared five fences of the Wellington Steeplechase course, and Count Minerva never put a foot, wrong. Though in the veteran stage, he has always to be given a safe jumper's chance. Million Dollar screwed badly at the second fence, but he made up ground across the top and outjumned his companion at the final obstacle. He is a promising steeplechaser. Peepin Thru (Simpson) jumped a board fence and a brush. He slipped into the latter fence, but made a good recovery. Cabana (Noanoa) gave a satisfactory display ov**r five fences in comnany with Hiaown (Sheild). Cabana’s showing was not in keening with his best, which was understandable, as it was his first school since he won the Manawatu Steeplechase. Hiaown fenced well.

Kevnote (Simnson) jumned away ahead of Black €on (Horne) and King Wv+low (Lee) in a school over four fences. Kevnote maintained the lead »o the end and gave a faultless disnlay He will be to beat in the Mariri Mack ar«d Hunters’ Steeplechase King Willow did not travel at much better than hunting pace and nex'er nut a foot wrong.

Andorra (Sheild) and Ton Dog lSchuster) eave enmnetent disnla’*s over five •Fences. Andorra was the more impresThe Wellington candidates. A’i"arh (Ha’tsna) Wotan’s Gold (Jenkins), and French Fehn (Walsh), comnlofed two rounds nf solid pace work. Aligarh was four lengths in front of Wotan’s Gold at the end of the trial travelling from the half-mile at 15sep to the furlong. French Echo was tailed off. There was little schooling over hurdles

in the centre of the course, the best being a run over six fences by Moghul Emperor (Simpson), which cleared his fences well and showed pace on landing. Brutus (Cowan) jumped one hurdle and showed he had lost none of his ability. Later, he did pace work.